Soren tried to convince Ethea to remain above, where it was safe, but she insisted on accompanying him with a firmness that left no room for argument. In the end, he relented, though his grip on the wheelchair handles remained tighter than necessary.
They used the same route from Soren's previous visit and finally arrived at their destination.
"Eeek..."
The door creaked open, revealing the dark expanse of the chamber beyond.
The air was still just as uneasy, and that enormous tree was still here too. Only the phantom panther that lay beneath that tree had changed in any way — its immense, muscular bulk wrapped tight with coils of chains shimmering softly with suppression magic. Its fur was so immersed in the shadows that it was more an embodiment of the darkness than a living being.
Then its eyes opened.
A pair of violet eyes, sharp and luminous against the gloom, fixed directly on Soren.
"..."
For a long moment, nobody moved.
